We all know our problems. Striker, central midfield manager, wonky back line. Well here's 2 more. Ashley Cole way too often runs to the half way, stops, then passes backwards. Every time, he stops any forward momentum and slows things down. Watch the replay and note how much quicker City move the ball forward from their flanks. Was this Benitez or is it how he now plays?? Secondly, is it just me or does anyone else think we are a team of midgets?? City looked like giants besides us, and sure as hell knocked us arse over head all day. Think size and strength need to be factored in to any new recruits. We need to beef up a bit.
Mata is 170cm as is Hazard. Oscar, Dave, Cole and Ramires are all around 180cm I think so yes you can definitely see a decrease in size. With Ashley. If there's no pass ahead of him he's going to play it backwards.
Chelsea were a big strong team, City have copied that and had success, what does that tell you? Maureen had it spot on.
Certainly was. Essien was short but perfectly formed and strong as a .....Bison. Lampard is normal size, some say bigger, but he's not and Ballack also a tallish strong player. Not that I have anything against short players per say, Zola small but maybe our best ever, Wise, Macca, no giant, and then there's Maradona and Messi. Just wish we had a few bigger ones.
Hmm....precisely what I've been thinking for the past few months - we look decidely lightweight which limits our options especially at set-pieces. Purchases of pocket battleships was part of a plan to entice Guardiola to the Bridge, a plan that seems to be turning to custard. In order to make a meaningful title challenge again we have got to get the balance right - Shankley once said to one of his players: "you'll like playing West Ham, they play pretty football and you get 4 points off them". We need grit as well as guile.
We always looked that bit bigger when Drogs, Terry and Lamps were around. Now ones gone, ones coming to the end and only JT seems as if he's got a few more seasons to go!
Not so sure we look a small side. From the DM's back we look usefully chunky. The midfield trio are small for sure but that's a big plus for me. Fast movers, capable of mazey runs with the ball glued to their feet - superb.
